David Patterson Dyer facts for kids

David Patterson Dyer (born February 12, 1838 – died April 29, 1924) was an important person in American law and politics. He served as a U.S. Representative for Missouri. Later, he became a federal judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Early Life and Education

David Patterson Dyer was born in Henry County, Virginia, on February 12, 1838. When he was three years old, his family moved to Lincoln County, Missouri. He went to St. Charles College in Missouri.

After college, he studied law on his own, which was called "reading law" back then. He passed his law exams in March 1859. He then started his own law practice in Pike County, Missouri.

A Career in Law and Politics

From 1859 to 1875, Dyer worked as a private lawyer. In 1860, he became a prosecutor for the Third Judicial Circuit of Missouri. This meant he worked for the government to bring legal cases against people.

During the American Civil War, Dyer joined the military. He served in the Missouri Home Guard and later became a colonel in the Forty-ninth Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry.

After the war, he continued his work in politics. He was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 1862 to 1865. In 1866, he was the Secretary of the Missouri Senate. He also attended the Republican National Convention in 1868. This is where the Republican Party chooses its candidate for president.

Serving in Congress

In 1869, David Dyer was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented Missouri's 9th congressional district as a Republican. He served one term, from March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1871. He tried to be re-elected in 1870 but was not successful.

Later Career and Judgeship

After his time in Congress, Dyer returned to working as a private lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri. He did this from 1871 to 1902. He also served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri twice. This job involves representing the U.S. government in legal cases.

In 1880, he ran for Governor of Missouri but did not win.

On February 27, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt chose David Dyer to become a federal judge. The United States Senate approved his nomination on March 1, 1907. He officially became a judge that same day.

He served as a judge until November 3, 1919, when he took "senior status". This means he continued to serve but with a reduced workload. His service as a judge ended on April 29, 1924, when he passed away in St. Louis. He was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.

Family Connections

David Patterson Dyer was the uncle of U.S. Representative Leonidas C. Dyer.